America Make Do is a Louisiana-based operation dedicated to ethical and sustainable fashion production using American-made fabrics and upcycled materials. Founders Victoria Ellender and Cheryl Hartley promote the "Make Do and Mend" movement of repairing and reusing existing textiles to reduce waste and support the local economy through cottage industry jobs. The document provides tips on mending, dyeing, and upcycling clothes to extend their usable life.

1. Mending
Recycling
Upcycling

2. America Make Do is a
Southwest Louisiana-based
operation dedicated to the
cause of
ethical, green, economy-
tripling, job-making production
right here on American soil.
Founders Victoria Ellender and
Cheryl Hartley, a mother-
daughter team, believe in the
solid foundation for American
production that was established
by the hard work of our
ancestors. Our clothing is made
100% from American-made
fabrics and upcycled materials.

3.  Green living.
 Cottage industry.
 Ethical production.
 Beautiful fashions.
 We want these to romance Americans so much that
the desire to have "closets full will be replaced with
passion to exclusively support native industry.

5.  The Make Do and Mend movement began during World War II.
 The war caused a shortage of supplies due to the sinking of ships
bring supplies and the lack of clothing manufacturing because of
the increased demand for war materials.
 The “Make Do and Mend” movement administered by the
governments of both the United States and England encouraged
citizens to get the last possible ounce of wear out of all their
family’s clothing.
 People started making new clothes from old ones and from all other
household linen.
 During the war, women became masterminds of make do and
mend, so resourceful they fashioned up sexy knickers out of
parachutes.

9.  To stretch your dollar– It saves money to make the
most of your family’s resources.
 Contributes to society at large by supporting local
businesses, and by keeping more dollars in the
community.
 It’s a fun hobby, and yields style that is difficult to
replicate.
 Three ways to Make Do…1) Repair and Mend
2) Recycle by dyeing and minor alterations.
3) Upcycling using textiles and other materials.

10. Some of these mending tips you may already be
familiar with, but some may be new to you. We hope
these mending tools will give you ideas on how to get
the most of your clothing and how to creatively shop
or “thrift.”
1. Sewing a button
2. Hem your pants
3. Patch your jeans
These three may seem really obvious but they will help
you extend the life of your clothes.

11. 4. Alter a shirt--- There are many videos on the
Internet that explain the variety of ways to alter tops
to make them fit better and/or to accommodate
weather changes.
5. Removing stains naturally--- The best way to keep
your clothes looking great longer is to learn how to
effectively remove stains… lemon juice, BIZ, bleach.

12.  Line Dry your clothes--- Line drying your clothes is
gentler than tumble drying (and cheaper).
 World War II Make and Mend book:
 “It’s easy to teach an old wardrobe new tricks, to
resurrect the skeletons in your closet and bring
them up to date. Come on, take those old
knockabouts and turn them into knockouts…”

13.  Dyeing is so fun and easy to do.
 You can redye blacks to make them look fresh or
completely change the color of something to make it
into something new.
 Dye is cheap and can be found at any grocery store.
It works best with natural fibers. Cotton, wool, linen.

14.  Stove Top Dying
 This technique delivers the best color results when dyeing with black or
other dark colors.
 Fill pot with enough hot water for fabric to move freely. Remember: Use 1
package of Rit powder or 1/2 bottle of Rit liquid dye and 3 gallons of hot
water for each pound of fabric. Pre-dissolve powder in 2 cups of hot water.
Add pre-dissolved powder or liquid to dye bath. Stir to mix.
 Wet fabric in hot water. Uncrumple and add to dye bath.
 Bring dye bath to simmer. Stir constantly (back and forth, up and down) at
least 30 minutes.
 Rinse in warm water, then gradually cooler water until water runs clear.
Wash item in warm water with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly in cool
water.
 Dry item in dryer or hang to dry.
 Clean containers immediately with chlorine bleach. Scrub with chlorine-
based powder, liquid, or gel cleanser.

15.  For Top-Loading Machines
 Fill machine with enough hot water for fabric to move freely. Refer to the
chart below for the right amount of dye to add. Pre-dissolve powder in 2
cups of hot water. Add pre-dissolved powder or liquid to hot dye bath.
 Wet fabric in hot water. Uncrumple and add to dye bath.
 Set machine for extended wash cycle. Fabric should be in dye bath for at
least 30 minutes before rinse begins. (You can reset your washing machine
before the rinse cycle begins for extended wash cycle.)
 Rinse in cold water until water runs clear. Wash deep shades in warm water
with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly in cool water.
 Dry item in dryer or hang to dry.
 Clean washing machine using highest water level with hot water, detergent
and 1 cup chlorine bleach using complete wash cycle. Clean lint traps.
Plastic or rubber machine parts may be tinted but will not stain laundry.

16.  Adding lace, trims, new notions to a plain top or
skirt
 Dyeing something white or plain to a whole new
color
 Taking scraps of fabric and stitching to make
headbands, purses

17.  Using linen table cloths from Care/Help to make
pants, tops, rompers, play suits for toddlers.
 Bed sheets make great material… No need to spend
several dollars a yard on fabric. Just buy used
cotton bed sheets at Goodwill, Care/Help, and start
sewing.

18.  Take a man’s shirt and downsize into a little boy’s
shorts.
 Pillow cases into little girls dresses.
 Strips of stretchy tops into the base of cute, stylish
headbands.

19.  The possibilities are endless really…..

20.  America Make Do
Cheryl Garner-Hartley
337-302-0894
Victoria Ellender
337-853-4404